# Boxer Also known as: German Boxer, Deutscher Boxer - **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2) - **Size:** Large - **Origin:** Germany - **Height:** 53โ€“63 cm - **Weight:** 25โ€“32 kg - **Life expectancy:** 10โ€“12 years - **Temperament:** Playful, Loyal, Energetic, Protective, Fearless - **FCI standard:** No. 144 The Boxer is a muscular, short-coated German mastiff-type dog with a square muzzle and a clownish streak. Playful and devoted with its family, it is a spirited, protective companion. ## Overview The Boxer is a medium to large, smooth-coated dog of mastiff type, developed in Germany in the late nineteenth century. Its square muzzle, strong jaws and underbite make the head unmistakable. Bright, energetic and affectionate, the Boxer is loyal to its family and often excellent with children. It is also protective, and it needs plenty of activity and sensible, positive training. ## History The Boxer was developed in Germany from the extinct Bullenbeisser, a hunting mastiff used to hold bear, boar and deer, and from Bulldogs brought in from England. The smaller Brabanter Bullenbeisser is regarded as a direct ancestor. In 1894 three Germans set out to stabilise the breed, and the first Boxer club followed in 1895. The breed was shown at a Munich dog show the next year and has since become a popular family and working dog worldwide. ## Appearance A square, powerful dog of noble bearing with a smooth, tight coat and well-developed muscles. The head is the breed's most distinctive feature: a short, broad skull, wrinkles running down both sides of a square muzzle and a slightly undershot jaw. Colours are fawn or brindle, often with white markings. Ears and tails were traditionally cropped and docked, but both are now banned or discouraged in many countries. ## Temperament Boxers are lively, playful and good-natured, and they are often patient and spirited with children. They are loyal to their families, wary of strangers and brave when roused, which makes them natural guardians. They are clever but can seem headstrong, and they respond far better to positive, reward-based training than to harsh corrections. They stay puppyish for years and need steady outlets for their energy to avoid chewing and digging. ## Care and exercise Boxers need daily exercise, play and time with their people. Their short coat needs only occasional brushing, but their short noses mean they cope poorly with heat and hard exertion in warm weather. Wipe the facial folds, keep nails trimmed and use rewards-based training from puppyhood. Pale and white dogs need protection from strong sun. ## Health White Boxers are at higher risk of sunburn and skin cancer, and the extreme piebald gene is linked with deafness. As a brachycephalic breed the Boxer can struggle with heat and breathing. Typical lifespan is about 10 to 12 years. ## Ratings (1 to 5) - Energy: 4 - Exercise needs: 4 - Grooming: 1 - Shedding: 3 - Trainability: 3 - Barking: 3 - Good with children: 5 - Good with other dogs: 3 Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/boxer Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_%28dog_breed%29 ยท https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38496 Photo: Mood210 (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_fawn_Boxer_undocked.jpg Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.